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Independence.Empowerment.Inclusion
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Happy Hanukkah!
Visit our website for updated information from the CDC on COVID-19 Vaccine at https:www.wilc.org or vaccine info at https://www.putnamils.org
As hard as this might be to believe there has already been a reported COVID-19 vaccine scam reported by the Administration for Community Living (www.acl.gov). 

ACL has this advice for the public:
  • You likely will not need to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency
  • You cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine
  • No one from Medicare or the Health Department will contact you
  • No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call asking for your Social Security number or your credit card or bank account information to sign up to get the vaccine
  • Beware of providers offering other products, treatments or medicines to prevent the virus.
  • Check with your health care provider before paying for receiving any COVID-19 related treatment.

If you get a call, text, email – even someone knocking on your door – claiming they can get you early access to the vaccine, STOP! That’s a scam.

Each state will have a different distribution and notification plan. We will publish the New York plan when it's available.
A Change in Plans
The pandemic has been filled with stress, isolation and grief. During the holidays consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep your friends, families and community healthy and safe.

Cases in New York State are rising. Please be vigilant and follow the guidelines to protect yourself and others:

Wear a Mask
Stay 6 Feet Apart
Wash Hands Frequently
Avoid Crowds In and Out of Doors
Get Started with Services
Margaret Nunziato, Deputy Executive Director, spoke to News 12 on COVID-19 and an increase in the need she is seeing for WILC and PILS services.
It's easy to get started with services at WILC and PILS visit www.wilc.org or www.putnamils.org and click on FIRST STEP TO SERVICES, fill out the form online and click submit or print the form and mail it to us.
Medicare Savings Plan
The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a Medicaid-administered program that can assist people with limited income in paying for their Medicare premiums. Depending on your income, the MSP may also pay for other cost-sharing expenses.

When you enroll in an MSP, you will also automatically get Extra Help, the federal program that helps pay most of your Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plan costs.

droppable-1607980392814There is no resource test for the MSP programs. This means many Medicare beneficiaries who may not qualify for Medicaid because of excess resources can qualify for an MSP.

There are three benefit levels. Each has a different income eligibility limit.
   •   Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
   •   Specified Low Income Beneficiary (SLMB)
   •   Qualified Individual (QI)

All three programs pay for the Part B Medicare Premium. If qualified, you will no longer have this premium amount deducted from your Social Security benefit.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Pays for Medicare Part A premium for people who do not have enough work history to get premium free Part A. QMB also pays the Part B premium, deductibles and coinsurances. Medicaid eligibles who qualify for QMB cannot be charged Medicare co-pays.

Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Pays the Medicare Part B premium.

Qualifying Individual (QI) Program: Pays the Medicare Part B premium.
   •   More information about the MSP income limits (download).

   •   If you want help paying for your Medicare costs, download the Medicare Savings Program Application - DOH-4328 (PDF) and MSP Instructions (PDF).


Social Security Disability Application
What You Need To Know About Filling Out the Online Disability Application

Before you apply online for disability benefits, please review the Adult Disability Benefits Checklist to be sure you have everything you need. You will be asked to agree to a ‘Terms of Service Agreement’ and create or log in to your personal my Social Security account. If we are not able to process your request, you will receive specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an appointment.

Applying Online for Disability Benefits
There are four steps in the Online Disability Application Process:

  1. Provide Background Information,
  2. Provide Disability Information,
  3. Sign Medical Release, and
  4. Confirmation.

It may take you between one to two hours to complete all the steps in the application process.

You must complete each step before you move to the next step. However, you do not have to complete all the steps at once.

Note: you may want to consider using legal representation when applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Westchester Independent Living Center
10 County Center Road 2nd floor
White Plains, NY 10607
(914) 682-3926 (Voice)
914-259-8036 (VP)
(914) 682-8518 (FAX)
Putnam Independent Living Services
1441 Route 22, Suite 204
(Tompkins Mahopac Bank building)
Brewster, New York 10509
845-228-7457 (Voice)
914.259.8036 (VP)
845-228-7460 (Fax)